Year in Review 2010: "I Thought It Was Gum" & Other Notable Quotables

"God is still in control,” Franklin said in the statement. “I had superb doctors and nurses whom were blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country.”

On Wednesday, Franklin’s sister-in-law, Earline Franklin, and Rev. Jackson spoke about Franklin’s condition to news outlets but would not respond to anonymously-sourced reports that claimed her mystery ailment was cancer.

Top Entertainment Photos

“Aretha is doing absolutely wonderful,” Earline told the Free Press. “All the prayers and well wishes have supported her and she’s doing well.”

In an interview with the AP, Jackson said he’d he visited Franklin four or five times recently and was impressed by her progress.

"She's conscious, communicating and taking daily walks up and down the hall," Jackson said. "She has amazing strength — body, religion and faith. It's what keeps her going."